Yombe Seated Female Figure Holding Cups Congo

A figure of a woman sitting on a cylindrical stool, holding a cup in one hand and a calabash in the other hand. She is wearing a hat often worn by important members of the community.

Such figures are found among a number of peoples of the greater region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo but most probably identified to the Yombe people. Figures among the Kongo and other people of the greater Kongo sub-groupings fall generally into a number of identifiable categories whose interpretation can vary and cross over as to function and meaning. Some figures represent elites and royals while the predominate number serve as power figures that would have magical materials attached or covered with the familiar metal objects beaten into their surfaces which led to their being identified as ‘nail fetishes' the sublime serenity of her expression creates a mysterious visual atmosphere and does establish an ‘otherworldly' quality.

The female figure represents the maternal ancestor taking care of her descendants. This commemorative figure would have been used to honor the maternal spirit who brings prosperity and fertility. Among the Kongo people, woman is considered as the chief of the family. Thus, female ancestor is the guarantor of the fecundity and continuity of the clan or family. Such sculptures would be kept on a family or local shrine where she would be receiving sacrifices and offerings.

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